MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry: an emerging technology for microbial identification and diagnosis

Identification of Enterococcus spp. from food sources by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and characterization of virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation

The continuous detection of multi-drug-resistant enterococci in food source environments has aroused widespread concern. In this study, 198 samples from chicken products, animal feces, raw milk, and vegetables were collected in Japan and Egypt to investigate the prevalence of enterococci and virulence characterization. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was employed for species identification and taxonomic analysis of the isolates. The results showed that the rates of most virulence genes (efaA, gelE, asa1, ace, and hyl) in the Japanese isolates were slightly higher than those in the Egyptian isolates. The rate of efaA was the highest (94.9 %) among seven virulence genes detected, but the cylA gene was not detected in all isolates, which was in accordance with γ-type hemolysis phenotype. In Enterococcus faecalis, the rate of kanamycin-resistant strains was the highest (84.75 %) among the antibiotics tested. Moreover, 78 % of E. faecalis strains exhibited multi-drug resistance. Four moderately vancomycin-resistant strains were found in Egyptian isolates, but none were found in Japanese isolates. MALDI-TOF MS analysis correctly identified 98.5 % (68/69) of the Enterococcus isolates. In the principal component analysis dendrogram, strains isolated from the same region with the same virulence characteristics and similar biofilm-forming abilities were characterized by clustered distribution in different clusters. This finding highlights the potential of MALDI-TOF MS for classifying E. faecalis strains from food sources.

Intact cell lipidomics using the Bruker MBT lipid Xtract assay allows the rapid detection of glycosyl-inositol-phospho-ceramides from Aspergillus fumigatus

Glycosyl-inositol-phospho-ceramides (GIPCs) or glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored fungal polysaccharides are major lipids in plant and fungal plasma membranes and play an important role in stress adaption. However, their analysis remains challenging due to the multiple steps involved in their extraction and purification prior to mass spectrometry analysis. To address this challenge, we report here a novel simplified method to identify GIPCs from Aspergillus fumigatus using the new Bruker MBT lipid Xtract assay. A. fumigatus reference strains and clinical isolates were cultured, harvested, heat-inactivated and suspended in double-distilled water. A fraction of this fungal preparation was then dried in a microtube, mixed with an MBT lipid Xtract matrix (Bruker Daltonik, Germany) and loaded onto a MALDI target plate. Analysis was performed using a Bruker MALDI Biotyper Sirius system in the linear negative ion mode. Mass spectra were scanned from m/z 700 to m/z 2 000. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of cultured fungi showed a clear signature of GIPCs in Aspergillus fumigatus reference strains and clinical isolates. Here, we have demonstrated that routine MALDI-TOF in the linear negative ion mode combined with the MBT lipid Xtract is able to detect Aspergillus fumigatus GIPCs.

Gut colonization by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in dairy herd in Brazil: successful dissemination of a One Health clone

The overuse of antimicrobials in livestock has contributed to the emergence and selection of clinically relevant multidrug-resistant bacteria. In Brazil, there is no conclusive information on the occurrence of Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESβL) in cattle breeding, which is an important sector of agribusiness in this country. Herein, we investigated the presence of ESβL-positive E. coli strains in dairy cattle from a commercial farm with routine practice of therapeutic cephalosporins. Ninety-five rectal swab samples were collected from healthy dairy calves and cows under treatment with ceftiofur. Samples were screened for the presence of ESβL producers, and positive isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF, with subsequent screening for genes encoding ESβL variants by PCR and sequencing. The presence of ESβL (CTX-M-15)-producing E. coli was confirmed in calves, and lactating and dry cows. Most ESβL strains with genetic homologies ≥ 90% were grouped into two major PFGE clusters, confirming the suscessful expansion of clonally related lineages in animals from different lactating cycles, on the same property. Four representatives CTX-M-15-positive E. coli strains had their genomes sequenced, belonging to the clonal complex (CC) 23 and sequence type (ST) 90. A phylogeographical landscape of ST90 was performed revealing a global One Health linkage. Our results highlight the intestinal microbiota of dairy cattle as a hotspot for the spread of critical priority ESβL-producing E. coli and demonstrate that ST90 is an international clone genomically adapted to human and animal hosts, which deserve additional investigation to determine its zoonotic potential and impact in food chain.

Identification of Southeast Asian Anopheles mosquito species using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Malaria elimination in Southeast Asia remains a challenge, underscoring the importance of accurately identifying malaria mosquitoes to understand transmission dynamics and improve vector control. Traditional methods such as morphological identification require extensive training and cannot distinguish between sibling species, while molecular approaches are costly for extensive screening. Matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as a rapid and cost-effective tool for Anopheles species identification, yet its current use is limited to few specialized laboratories. This study aimed to develop and validate an online reference database for MALDI-TOF MS identification of Southeast Asian Anopheles species. The database, constructed using the in-house data analysis pipeline MSI2 (Sorbonne University), comprised 2046 head mass spectra from 209 specimens collected at the Thailand-Myanmar border. Molecular identification via COI and ITS2 DNA barcodes enabled the identification of 20 sensu stricto species and 5 sibling species complexes. The high quality of the mass spectra was demonstrated by a MSI2 median score (min-max) of 61.62 (15.94-77.55) for correct answers, using the best result of four technical replicates of a test panel. Applying an identification threshold of 45, 93.9% (201/214) of the specimens were identified, with 98.5% (198/201) consistency with the molecular taxonomic assignment. In conclusion, MALDI-TOF MS holds promise for malaria mosquito identification and can be scaled up for entomological surveillance in Southeast Asia. The free online sharing of our database on the MSI2 platform (https://msi.happy-dev.fr/) represents an important step towards the broader use of MALDI-TOF MS in malaria vector surveillance.

Identifying antibiotic-resistant strains via cell sorting and elastic-light-scatter phenotyping

The proliferation and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is an increasingly global challenge and is attributed mainly to the excessive or improper use of antibiotics. Currently, the gold-standard phenotypic methodology for detecting resistant strains is agar plating, which is a time-consuming process that involves multiple subculturing steps. Genotypic analysis techniques are fast, but they require pure starting samples and cannot differentiate between viable and non-viable organisms. Thus, there is a need to develop a better method to identify and prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This work presents a novel method for detecting and identifying antibiotic-resistant strains by combining a cell sorter for bacterial detection and an elastic-light-scattering method for bacterial classification. The cell sorter was equipped with safety mechanisms for handling pathogenic organisms and enabled precise placement of individual bacteria onto an agar plate. The patterning was performed on an antibiotic-gradient plate, where the growth of colonies in sections with high antibiotic concentrations confirmed the presence of a resistant strain. The antibiotic-gradient plate was also tested with an elastic-light-scattering device where each colony's unique colony scatter pattern was recorded and classified using machine learning for rapid identification of bacteria. Sorting and patterning bacteria on an antibiotic-gradient plate using a cell sorter reduced the number of subculturing steps and allowed direct qualitative binary detection of resistant strains. Elastic-light-scattering technology is a rapid, label-free, and non-destructive method that permits instantaneous classification of pathogenic strains based on the unique bacterial colony scatter pattern. KEY POINTS: • Individual bacteria cells are placed on gradient agar plates by a cell sorter • Laser-light scatter patterns are used to recognize antibiotic-resistant organisms • Scatter patterns formed by colonies correspond to AMR-associated phenotypes.

Spore-forming bacteria in gelatin: Characterization, identification by 16S rRNA and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS), and presence of heat resistance and virulence genes

Gelatin, a versatile protein derived from collagen, is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and medical sectors. However, bacterial contamination by spore-forming bacteria during gelatin processing represents a significant concern for product safety and quality. In this study, an investigation was carried out to explore the heat and chemical resistance, as well as the identification and characterization of spore-forming bacteria isolated from gelatin processing. The methodologies involved chemical resistance tests with drastic pH in microplates and thermal resistance tests in capillary tubes of various isolates obtained at different processing stages. In addition, phenotypic and genotypic analyses were carried out to characterize the most resistant isolates of spore-forming bacteria. The findings of this study revealed the presence of several species, including Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus sonorensis, Bacillus subtilis, Geobacillus stearothermophilus, and Clostridium sporogenes, with some isolates exhibiting remarkable chemical and heat resistances. In addition, a significant proportion of the most resistant isolates showed gelatinase activity (n = 19/21; 90.5 %) and the presence of heat resistance (n = 5/21; 23.8 %), and virulence genes (n = 11/21; 52.4 %). The results of this study suggest that interventions should be done in quality control practices and that process parameter adjustments and effective contamination reduction strategies should be implemented through gelatin processing.

Diagnostic accuracy of automation and non-automation techniques for identifying Burkholderia pseudomallei: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Burkholderia pseudomallei, a Gram-negative pathogen, causes melioidosis. Although various clinical laboratory identification methods exist, culture-based techniques lack comprehensive evaluation. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of culture-based automation and non-automation methods.

METHODS

Data were collected via PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus using specific search strategies. Selected studies underwent bias assessment using QUADAS-2. Sensitivity and specificity were computed, generating pooled estimates. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics.

RESULTS

The review encompassed 20 studies with 2988 B. pseudomallei samples and 753 non-B. pseudomallei samples. Automation-based methods, particularly with updating databases, exhibited high pooled sensitivity (82.79%; 95% CI 64.44-95.85%) and specificity (99.94%; 95% CI 98.93-100.00%). Subgroup analysis highlighted superior sensitivity for updating-database automation (96.42%, 95% CI 90.01-99.87%) compared to non-updating (3.31%, 95% CI 0.00-10.28%), while specificity remained high at 99.94% (95% CI 98.93-100%). Non-automation methods displayed varying sensitivity and specificity. In-house latex agglutination demonstrated the highest sensitivity (100%; 95% CI 98.49-100%), followed by commercial latex agglutination (99.24%; 95% CI 96.64-100%). However, API 20E had the lowest sensitivity (19.42%; 95% CI 12.94-28.10%). Overall, non-automation tools showed sensitivity of 88.34% (95% CI 77.30-96.25%) and specificity of 90.76% (95% CI 78.45-98.57%).

CONCLUSION

The study underscores automation's crucial role in accurately identifying B. pseudomallei, supporting evidence-based melioidosis management decisions. Automation technologies, especially those with updating databases, provide reliable and efficient identification.

Complete genome sequence of three Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from patients with skin diseases in Japan

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a member of the human skin microbiota as a commensal organism but could be an important opportunistic pathogen for immunocompromised individuals. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of three S. epidermidis strains isolated from patients with skin diseases.

Misidentification of Brucella melitensis as Ochrobactrum species: potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of brucellosis

We describe a case of brucellosis in a man in his 20s, who presented to the emergency department with a 1-month history of fevers, dry cough and knee pain. Blood cultures were positive after 55 hours and Ochrobactrum daejeonense was identified on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Ochrobactrum spp are Gram-negative organisms that are phylogenetically related to Brucella spp but commercially available MALDI-TOF libraries cannot distinguish between the two genera. Further positive blood cultures for O. daejeonense combined with characteristic growth patterns for Brucella spp led to targeted questioning of the patient regarding potential exposure risks, which revealed a history of consumption of unpasteurised camel milk in the Middle East 3 months earlier. Treatment of brucellosis was initiated and subsequent whole genome sequencing identified the blood culture isolate as Brucella melitensis confirming the diagnosis of brucellosis. This case highlights the challenges in the diagnosis of brucellosis in low-incidence settings.

Draft genome sequences of 148 Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex members from bovine and human hosts

Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex members, particularly K. pnemoniae sensu stricto, are common bovine clinical mastitis pathogens and often the cause of hospital- and community-acquired infections in humans. Here, we present 148 draft genome assemblies and annotations of K. pneumoniae species complex members from bovine and human hosts in Canada.

Exploring the pediatric nasopharyngeal bacterial microbiota with culture-based MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and targeted metagenomic sequencing

The nasopharynx is an important reservoir of disease-associated and antimicrobial-resistant bacterial species. This proof-of-concept study assessed the utility of a combined culture, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and targeted metagenomic sequencing workflow for the study of the pediatric nasopharyngeal bacterial microbiota. Nasopharyngeal swabs and clinical metadata were collected from Cambodian children during a hospital outpatient visit and then biweekly for 12 weeks. Swabs were cultured on chocolate and blood-gentamicin agar, and all colony morphotypes were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Metagenomic sequencing was done on a scrape of all colonies from a chocolate agar culture and processed using the mSWEEP pipeline. One hundred one children were enrolled, yielding 620 swabs. MALDI-TOF MS identified 106 bacterial species/40 genera: 20 species accounted for 88.5% (2,190/2,474) of isolates. Colonization by Moraxella catarrhalis (92.1% of children on ≥1 swab), Haemophilus influenzae (87.1%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (83.2%) was particularly common. In S. pneumoniae-colonized children, a median of two serotypes [inter-quartile range (IQR) 1-2, range 1-4] was detected. For the 21 bacterial species included in the mSWEEP database and identifiable by MALDI-TOF, detection by culture + MALDI-TOF MS and culture + mSWEEP was highly concordant with a median species-level agreement of 96.9% (IQR 86.8%-98.8%). mSWEEP revealed highly dynamic lineage-level colonization patterns for S. pneumoniae which were quite different to those for S. aureus. A combined culture, MALDI-TOF MS, targeted metagenomic sequencing approach for the exploration of the young child nasopharyngeal microbiome was technically feasible, and each component yielded complementary data.

IMPORTANCE

The human upper respiratory tract is an important source of disease-causing and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, understanding the interactions and stability of these bacterial populations is technically challenging. We used a combination of approaches to determine colonization patterns over a 3-month period in 101 Cambodian children. The combined approach was feasible to implement, and each component gave complementary data to enable a better understanding of the complex patterns of bacterial colonization.

Role and significance of virus-bacteria interactions in disease progression

Understanding disease pathogenesis caused by bacteria/virus, from the perspective of individual pathogen has provided meaningful insights. However, as viral and bacterial counterparts might inhabit the same infection site, it becomes crucial to consider their interactions and contributions in disease onset and progression. The objective of the review is to highlight the importance of considering both viral and bacterial agents during the course of coinfection. The review provides a unique perspective on the general theme of virus-bacteria interactions, which either lead to colocalized infections that are restricted to one anatomical niche, or systemic infections that have a systemic effect on the human host. The sequence, nature, and underlying mechanisms of certain virus-bacteria interactions have been elaborated with relevant examples from literature. It also attempts to address the various applied aspects, including diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for individual infections as well as virus-bacteria coinfections. The review aims to aid researchers in comprehending the intricate interplay between virus and bacteria in disease progression, thereby enhancing understanding of current methodologies and empowering the development of novel health care strategies to tackle coinfections.

MALDI glycotyping of O-antigens from a single colony of gram-negative bacteria

Polypeptide-targeted MALDI-TOF MS for microbial species identification has revolutionized microbiology. However, no practical MALDI-TOF MS identification method for O-antigen polysaccharides, a major indicator for epidemiological classification within a species of gram-negative bacteria, is available. We describe a simple MALDI glycotyping method for O-antigens that simultaneously identifies the molecular mass of the repeating units and the monosaccharide composition of the O-antigen. We analyzed the Escherichia coli O1, O6, and O157-type strains. Conventional species identification based on polypeptide patterns and O-antigen polysaccharide typing can be performed in parallel from a single colony using our MALDI-TOF MS workflow. Moreover, subtyping within the same O-antigen and parallel colony-specific O-antigen determination from mixed strains, including the simultaneous identification of multiple strains-derived O-antigens within selected colony, were performed. In MALDI glycotyping of two Enterobacteriaceae strains, a Citrobacter freundii strain serologically cross-reactive with E. coli O157 gave a MALDI spectral pattern identical to E. coli O157. On the other hand, an Edwardsiella tarda strain with no reported O-antigen cross-reactivity gave a MALDI spectral pattern of unknown O-antigen repeating units. The method described in this study allows the parallel and rapid identification of microbial genera, species, and serotypes of surface polysaccharides using a single MALDI-TOF MS instrument.

Clinical differences between Raoultella spp. and Klebsiella oxytoca

Purpose

Raoultella spp. is a genus of bacteria that is known to be closely related to Klebsiella. It has been debated whether Raoultella should be reclassified as a subgroup of Klebsiella. The aim of this study is to compare clinical aspects of Raoultella and Klebsiella oxytoca, a species of Klebsiella that is known to be bacteriologically similar to Raoultella spp.

Methods

Using data collected at a tertiary care hospital in the United States, we identified 43 patients with Raoultella infection and 1173 patients with Klebsiella oxytoca infection. We compared patient demographics (age and sex), hospitalization status, isolation sites and antibiotic resistance profiles between the two species.

Results

There was no significant difference in patient demographics between the two bacteria species. The proportions of intensive care unit (ICU) admission were higher among patients with Raoultella infection (p=0.008). The most common site of isolation was urine for both species (39.5% of all patients with Raoultella spp. vs. 59.3% for K. oxytoca). The second most common site of isolation was blood stream for Raoultella spp. (23.3%) and respiratory tract for K. oxytoca (10.8%). Except for the high proportion of resistant isolates of Raoultella spp. for Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, the antibiotic susceptibility profiles were similar between the two bacteria species. Both were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and meropenem.

Conclusion

While there are no significant differences in the patient demographics and antibiotic susceptibility profiles between Raoultella spp. and K. oxytoca, Raoultella may cause more serious infection requiring ICU admissions. Also, Raoultella may cause blood stream infection more frequently than K. oxytoca.

First report of betalain production from endolichenic Bacillus sp. LDAB-1 from Dirinaria aegilita: Insights from novel quantification methodology of image processing

Pigments are widely used in food supplements envisaging attractive colors along with health benefits. The desired advancements in the nutraceutical and antioxidant properties of pigments utilized in food products necessitate the search for novel additives. The present study is the first in the field to report the pigment-producing endolichenic bacteria, Bacillus sp. LDAB-1 from Dirinaria aegilita. Morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization of the bacterium emphasizes that ideal pigment production occurs when utilizing sucrose and sodium nitrate. The pigment was salted out and dialyzed for further qualitative characterization using ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectra and the results corroborated the presence of betalains. The antioxidant activity of betalain is closer to the efficiency of α-tocopherol, which confers the pigment properties for antioxidant and nutraceutical significance. An optimal methodology for pigment affirmation is an issue when using an alternative methodology. Hence, the present assessment employs a comparative analysis of findings from both a spectrophotometric method and image processing technology encompassing RGB, CMYK, YCbCr, and L*a*b* color space models. Amongst these, the L*a*b* model potentially provides an effective modality for determining the pigment concentration. Bland-Altman plot analysis indicates similar consistency levels in betalain quantification by both methods at 95% confidence intervals, affirming the integrity and consistency of color image processing technology. Consequently, the present study represents novelty and innovativeness in reporting endolichenic Bacillus sp. LDAB-1 from D. aegilita and a rational image optimization protocol for pigment elucidation characteristics.

Troubleshooting high laboratory pasteurization counts in organic raw milk requires characterization of dominant thermoduric bacteria, which includes nonsporeformers as well as sporeformers

Laboratory pasteurization count (LPC) enumerates thermoduric bacteria and is one parameter used to assess raw milk quality. No regulatory limit has presently been set for LPC, but LPC data are used by some dairy processors and cooperatives to designate raw milk quality premiums paid to farmers and may also be used for troubleshooting bacterial contamination issues. Although it is occasionally used as a proxy for levels of bacterial spores in raw milk, limited knowledge is available on the types of organisms that are enumerated by LPC in contemporary raw milk supplies. Although historical studies have reported that thermoduric bacteria quantified by LPC may predominantly represent gram-positive cocci, updated knowledge on microbial populations enumerated by LPC in contemporary organic raw milk supplies is needed. To address this gap, organic raw milk samples from across the United States (n = 94) were assessed using LPC, and bacterial isolates were characterized. LPC ranged from below detection (<0.70 log cfu/mL) to 4.07 log cfu/mL, with a geometric mean of 1.48 log cfu/mL. Among 380 isolates characterized by 16S rDNA sequencing, 52.6%, 44.5%, and 2.4% were identified as gram-positive sporeformers, gram-positive nonsporeformers, and gram-negatives, respectively; 0.5% could not be categorized into those groups because they could only be assigned a higher level of taxonomy. Isolates identified as gram-positive sporeformers were predominantly Bacillus (168/200), and gram-positive nonsporeformers were predominantly Brachybacterium (56/169) and Kocuria (47/169). To elucidate if the LPC level can be an indicator of the type of thermoduric (e.g., sporeforming bacteria) present in raw milk, we evaluated the proportion of sporeformers in raw milk samples with LPC of ≤100 cfu/mL, 100 to 200 cfu/mL, and ≥200 cfu/mL (51%, 67%, and 35%), showing a trend for sporeformers to represent a smaller proportion of the total thermoduric population when LPC increases, although overall linear regression showed no significant association between the proportion of sporeformers and the LPC concentration. Hence, LPC level alone provides no insight into the makeup of the thermoduric population in raw milk, and further characterization is needed to elucidate the bacterial drivers of elevated LPC in raw milk. We therefore further characterized the isolates from this study using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), a rapid microbial identification tool that is more readily available to dairy producers than 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing. Although our data indicated agreement between 16S rDNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS for 66.6% of isolates at the genus level, 24.2% and 9.2% could not be reliably identified or were mischaracterized using MALDI-TOF MS, respectively. This suggests that further optimization of this method is needed to allow for accurate characterization of thermoduric organisms commonly found in raw milk. Ultimately, our study provides a contemporary perspective on thermoduric bacteria selected by the LPC method and establishes that the LPC alone is not sufficient for identifying the bacterial drivers of LPC levels. Further development of rapid characterization methods that are accessible to producers, cooperatives, and processors will support milk quality troubleshooting efforts and ultimately improve outcomes for dairy industry community members.

Exploring diagnostic methods for drug-resistant tuberculosis: A comprehensive overview

Despite available global efforts and funding, Tuberculosis (TB) continues to affect a considerable number of patients worldwide. Policy makers and stakeholders set clear goals to reduce TB incidence and mortality, but the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) complicate the reach of these goals. Drug-resistance TB needs to be diagnosed rapidly and accurately to effectively treat patients, prevent the transmission of MDR-TB, minimise mortality, reduce treatment costs and avoid unnecessary hospitalisations. In this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of laboratory methods for detecting drug resistance in MTB, focusing on phenotypic, molecular and other drug susceptibility testing (DST) techniques. We found a large variety of methods used, with the BACTEC MGIT 960 being the most common phenotypic DST and the Xpert MTB/RIF being the most common molecular DST. We emphasise the importance of integrating phenotypic and molecular DST to address issues like resistance to new drugs, heteroresistance, mixed infections and low-level resistance mutations. Notably, most of the analysed studies adhered to the outdated definition of XDR-TB and did not consider the pre-XDR definition, thus posing challenges in aligning diagnostic methods with the current landscape of TB resistance.

Unexpected decrease in necrotizing enterocolitis morbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic-A single-centre retrospective study

Background

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is not well characterised. This cross-sectional study evaluated the potential effects of pandemic-related measures on NEC morbidity in premature infants in a neonatal ward during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This was a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary neonatal ward in eastern and central China over 6 consecutive years (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022). The medical records of 189 premature infants with stage II or III NEC were reviewed for clinical manifestations and aetiologies. The data were analysed and compared between the prepandemic period (2017, 2018, and 2019) and the pandemic period (2020, 2021 and 2022).

Results

A total of 9,903 infants with gestational age (GA) < 37 weeks were enrolled, including 5,382 in the prepandemic period and 4,521 in the pandemic period. A reduction in stage II or III NEC morbidity was observed in infants with GA < 37 weeks, with an average annual morbidity of 2.29% (123/5,382) (95% CI, 1.89%-2.68%) in the prepandemic period and 1.46% (66/4,521) (95% CI, 1.11%-1.81%) in the pandemic period. NEC morbidity showed resurgent characteristics in 2021. When prepandemic coinfections were excluded, most cases of NEC with bloodstream infections in the prepandemic period were attributable to Gram-negative bacteria (27/32, 84.38%), mainly Klebsiella pneumoniae, while in the pandemic period they were attributable to Gram-positive bacteria (10/18, 55.56%), mainly Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that Klebsiella pneumoniae was 100% sensitive to meropenem, imipenem, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin and 100% resistant to ampicillin. Staphylococcus capitis was 100% sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole and cefoxitin and 100% resistant to penicillin and benzathine.

Conclusions

COVID-19 pandemic-related interventions can reduce the morbidity of NEC and change the pathogen spectrum in patients with bloodstream infections. We need to understand the exact factors leading to these changes.

Clinical scoring model for predicting cefotaxime-resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia: development and validation based on portal of entry

We developed a prediction model for cefotaxime resistance in patients with K. pneumoniae bacteremia. Adult patients with K. pneumoniae bacteremia were grouped into derivation (from March 2018 to December 2019) and validation (from January 2020 to August 2020) cohorts. The prediction scoring system was based on factors associated with cefotaxime resistance identified by the logistic regression model. A total of 358 patients were enrolled (256 for derivation, 102 for validation). In the multivariable analysis, age ≥65 years, hospital-acquired infection, prior antimicrobial use, and an updated Charlson comorbidity index ≥3 points were associated with cefotaxime resistance in the derivation cohort. When each variable was counted as 1 point, the values of the area under the curve were 0.761 in the derivation and 0.781 in the validation cohorts. The best cutoff value using the Youden index was ≥2 with 73.6% sensitivity and 67.5% specificity. Our simple scoring system favorably predicted cefotaxime resistance.

Genomic characterization of carbapenem and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from humans and dogs

Introduction

Carbapenem and colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, have become a growing global concern, posing a significant threat to public health. Currently, there is limited information about the genetic background of carbapenem and colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates infecting humans and dogs in Thailand. This study aimed to characterize carbapenem and colistin-resistant genes in six resistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolates (three from humans and three from dogs) which differed in their pulse field gel electrophoresis profiles.

Methods

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and whole-genome sequencing were employed to identify and analyze the isolates.

Results and discussion

All six isolates were carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates with chromosomally carried blaSHV, fosA, oqxA and oqxB genes, as well as nine to 21 virulence genes. The isolates belonged to five multilocus sequence types (STs): one isolate from a human and one from a dog belonged to ST16, with the other two human isolates being from ST340 and ST1269 and the other two dog isolates were ST147 and ST15. One human isolate and two dog isolates harbored the same blaOXA-232 gene on the ColKP3 plasmid, and one dog isolate carried the blaOXA-48 gene on the IncFII plasmid. Notably, one human isolate exhibited resistance to colistin mediated by the mcr-3.5 gene carried on the IncFII plasmid, which co-existed with resistance determinants to other antibiotics, including aminoglycosides and quinolones. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive characterization of both chromosome- and plasmid-mediated carbapenem and colistin resistance in a set of K. pneumoniae clinical isolates from unrelated humans and dogs in Thailand. The similarities and differences found contribute to our understanding of the potential widescale dissemination of these important resistance genes among clinical isolates from humans and animals, which in turn may contribute to outbreaks of emerging resistant clones in hospital settings.

Screening Methods for Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer seriously affects the health of women worldwide. Persistent infection of high-risk HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) can lead to cervical cancer. There is a great need for timely and efficient screening methods for cervical cancer. The current screening methods for cervical cancer are mainly based on cervical cytology and HPV testing. Cervical cytology is made of Pap smear and liquid-based cytology, while HPV testing is based on immunological and nucleic acid level detection methods. This review introduces cervical cancer screening methods based on cytology and human papillomavirus testing in detail. The advantages and limitations of the screening methods are also summarized and compared.

Retrospective study to investigate appropriate duration of antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in patients with immunodeficiency

BACKGROUND

Since the appropriate antibiotic duration for uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteremia (u-SAB) in an immunocompromised state is still unclear, physicians are likely to extend antibiotic therapy from 2 weeks to 4-6 weeks. To examine the appropriate duration of antibiotic therapy for u-SAB, we performed this study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed all patients with u-SAB at our institute seen between January 2020 and August 2023. A total of 51 patients were enrolled, and they were divided into the following two groups by antibiotic duration: longer duration group ≥28 days after blood culture negativity, and shorter duration group. Then, the patients were matched by a propensity score using the covariates of age, sex, qSOFA, and CCI. The primary outcome was to identify the prognosis by duration of antibiotic treatment.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, all-cause 30-day mortality was 0 % in both groups. Hence, there was no significant difference in all-cause 90 days mortality (19.0% vs 9.5%, p = 0.33) or recurrence (9.5%% vs 0%, p = 0.22). Before propensity-score matching, we found that a serum level of CRP 2.0 mg/dL and greater after intravenous antibiotic treatment was one of the poor prognostic factors. The cut-off value of serum CRP level was 2.0 mg/dL with a sensitivity of 82.1% and a specificity of 75.0%.

CONCLUSION

We suggested that 4-6 weeks of antibiotic treatment for immunodeficient u-SAB patients was unnecessary. Moreover, the serum level of CRP after completion of IV antibiotic treatment could be a prognostic marker for u-SAB.

Metabolomics and Proteomics in Prostate Cancer Research: Overview, Analytical Techniques, Data Analysis, and Recent Clinical Applications

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a significant global contributor to mortality, predominantly affecting males aged 65 and above. The field of omics has recently gained traction due to its capacity to provide profound insights into the biochemical mechanisms underlying conditions like prostate cancer. This involves the identification and quantification of low-molecular-weight metabolites and proteins acting as crucial biochemical signals for early detection, therapy assessment, and target identification. A spectrum of analytical methods is employed to discern and measure these molecules, revealing their altered biological pathways within diseased contexts. Metabolomics and proteomics generate refined data subjected to detailed statistical analysis through sophisticated software, yielding substantive insights. This review aims to underscore the major contributions of multi-omics to PCa research, covering its core principles, its role in tumor biology characterization, biomarker discovery, prognostic studies, various analytical technologies such as mass spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, data processing, and recent clinical applications made possible by an integrative "omics" approach. This approach seeks to address the challenges associated with current PCa treatments. Hence, our research endeavors to demonstrate the valuable applications of these potent tools in investigations, offering significant potential for understanding the complex biochemical environment of prostate cancer and advancing tailored therapeutic approaches for further development.

Turicella otitidis hypoglossal nerve stimulator device associated infection

71-year-old male with history of obstructive sleep apnea presented with persistent drainage from the surgical incision site over the recently implanted hypoglossal nerve stimulator. Wound cultures from device pocket identified the pathogen as Turicella otitidis. Clinical course included treatment with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and device explantation. This case is the first known T. otitidis device associated infection.

Enhancing pneumococcal bacteraemia diagnosis: A comparative assessment of culture-independent assays (MALDI-TOF-MS Sepsityper® module and a lateral flow inmunochromatography test)

INTRODUCTION

Pneumococcal bacteraemia is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. Traditional culture-based methods lack sensitivity and are time-consuming. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of two culture-independent assays, the MALDI-TOF-MS Sepsityper® module and the lateral flow inmunochromatography test (LFICT) with the Standard F® Streptococcus pneumoniae, directly from positive blood culture (BC) bottles.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted from December 2021 to July 2022. For all BC positives for S. pneumoniae a double centrifugation protocol was implemented. The resulting pellet was subsequently processed using both techniques.

RESULTS

The LFICT showed exceptional performance with 100% sensitivity and specificity, outperforming the MALDI-TOF-MS Sepsityper® module, which achieved 85.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Nevertheless, the combination of these assays offers a robust and comprehensive approach to diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The simultaneous use of both techniques offers a promising alternative that can be integrated into routine practices directly from BC samples.

Both biofilm cytotoxicity and monocytes' adhesion may be used as estimators of enterococcal virulence

Our study aimed to identify markers of enterococci's virulence potential by evaluating the properties of strains of different sites of isolation. Enterococcal strains were isolated as commensals from faeces and as invasive strains from the urine and blood of patients from the University Clinical Centre, Gdańsk, Poland. Changes in monocytes' susceptibility to the cytotoxic activity of isolates of different origins and their adherence to biofilm were evaluated using a flow cytometer. The bacterial protein profile was estimated by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometer. The cytotoxicity of biofilm and monocytes' adherence to it were the most accurate factors in predicting the prevalence of the strain in the specific niche. Additionally, a bacterial protein with mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 5000 was found to be responsible for the increased bacterial cytotoxicity, while monocytes' decreased adherence to biofilm was linked with the presence of proteins either with m/z 3330 or 2435. The results illustrate that monocytes' reaction when exposed to the bacterial biofilm can be used as an estimator of pathogens' virulence potential. The observed differences in monocytes' response are explainable by the bacterial proteins' profile. Additionally, the results indicate that the features of both bacteria and monocytes impact the outcome of the infection.

A Rare Case of Periprosthetic Joint Infection with Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare but most vital complication after joint arthroplasty and requires a revision surgery. Synovial fluid analysis is essential in diagnosis of the PJI, and conventional and molecular microbiologic investigations may help in determining the cause of the infection. With this unusual case, we aimed to present the second instance in the literature of PJI of the knee caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae (SDSD). S. dysgalactiae PJI in the literature are commonly Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE), and SDSD mostly infects animals. A farmer with comorbid illnesses who works with cattle and sheep experienced periprosthetic knee joint infection caused by SDSD. Surgical excisional debridement with open washing, decompression, and liner exchange were performed. The identification of the bacteria was done with VITEK MS as SDSD. After 1-year follow-up, the patient has fully recovered without recurrence.

Improved Detection of Tryptic Peptides from Tissue Sections Using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging

DESI-MSI is an ambient ionization technique used frequently for the detection of lipids, small molecules, and drug targets. Until recently, DESI had only limited use for the detection of proteins and peptides due to the setup and needs around deconvolution of data resulting in a small number of species being detected at lower spatial resolution. There are known differences in the ion species detected using DESI and MALDI for nonpeptide molecules, and here, we identify that this extends to proteomic species. DESI MS images were obtained for tissue sections of mouse and rat brain using a precommercial heated inlet (approximately 450 °C) to the mass spectrometer. Ion mobility separation resolved spectral overlap of peptide ions and significantly improved the detection of multiply charged species. The images acquired were of pixel size 100 μm (rat brain) and 50 μm (mouse brain), respectively. Observed tryptic peptides were filtered against proteomic target lists, generated by LC-MS, enabling tentative protein assignment for each peptide ion image. Precise localizations of peptide ions identified by DESI and MALDI were found to be comparable. Some spatially localized peptides ions were observed in DESI that were not found in the MALDI replicates, typically, multiply charged species with a low mass to charge ratio. This method demonstrates the potential of DESI-MSI to detect large numbers of tryptic peptides from tissue sections with enhanced spatial resolution when compared to previous DESI-MSI studies.

The overlooked evolutionary dynamics of 16S rRNA revises its role as the "gold standard" for bacterial species identification

The role of 16S rRNA has been and largely remains crucial for the identification of microbial organisms. Although 16S rRNA could certainly be described as one of the most studied sequences ever, the current view of it remains somewhat ambiguous. While some consider 16S rRNA to be a variable marker with resolution power down to the strain level, others consider them to be living fossils that carry information about the origin of domains of cellular life. We show that 16S rRNA is clearly an evolutionarily very rigid sequence, making it a largely unique and irreplaceable marker, but its applicability beyond the genus level is highly limited. Interestingly, it seems that the evolutionary rigidity is not driven by functional constraints of the sequence (RNA-protein interactions), but rather results from the characteristics of the host organism. Our results suggest that, at least in some lineages, Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) within genera plays an important role for the evolutionary non-dynamics (stasis) of 16S rRNA. Such genera exhibit an apparent lack of diversification at the 16S rRNA level in comparison to the rest of a genome. However, why it is limited specifically and solely to 16S rRNA remains enigmatic.

MSDeepAMR: antimicrobial resistance prediction based on deep neural networks and transfer learning

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health problem that requires early and effective treatments to prevent the indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs and the outcome of infections. Mass Spectrometry (MS), and more particularly MALDI-TOF, have been widely adopted by routine clinical microbiology laboratories to identify bacterial species and detect AMR. The analysis of AMR with deep learning is still recent, and most models depend on filters and preprocessing techniques manually applied on spectra.

Methods

This study propose a deep neural network, MSDeepAMR, to learn from raw mass spectra to predict AMR. MSDeepAMR model was implemented for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus under different antibiotic resistance profiles. Additionally, a transfer learning test was performed to study the benefits of adapting the previously trained models to external data.

Results

MSDeepAMR models showed a good classification performance to detect antibiotic resistance. The AUROC of the model was above 0.83 in most cases studied, improving the results of previous investigations by over 10%. The adapted models improved the AUROC by up to 20% when compared to a model trained only with external data.

Discussion

This study demonstrate the potential of the MSDeepAMR model to predict antibiotic resistance and their use on external MS data. This allow the extrapolation of the MSDeepAMR model to de used in different laboratories that need to study AMR and do not have the capacity for an extensive sample collection.

Insights into population adaptation and biodiversity of lactic acid bacteria in challenged date palm leaves silaging, using MALDI-TOF MS

The study focused on isolating indigenous Qatari lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from various challenged date palm tree leaf silages to construct a comprehensive strain collection, useful to study the diversity of these strains following their adaptation to the uncommon silage. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was employed for strain identification and differentiation. The diversity of LAB populations and strains was assessed through principal component analysis (PCA) and dendrogram analyses. A total of 88 LAB isolates were obtained from silages of fresh palm leaves, silage of mixed leaves and dairy feed, along with fresh palm tree leaves, and dairy feed, adapted to local harsh environments. These isolates were categorized according to the new classification of 2020, belonging to genera of Pediococcus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Companilactobacillus farciminis, Limosilactobacillus oris, Limosilactobacillus vaginalis, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus and Lactobacillus johnsonii. Pediococcus was the most prevalent genus, falling mostly within the species Pediococcus lolii. MALDI-TOF MS protein profiles, PCA, and dendrogram analyses successfully grouped the LAB isolates into five distinctive clusters based on the protein's similarities. The high diversity of the indigenous LAB in spontaneous palm leaf silages demonstrated their adaptation and mutualistic interactions, forming robust consortia that ensure the quality of the silage. The straightforward, quick, and accurate identification of LAB in this silage using MALDI-TOF MS presents a valuable approach for formulating LAB consortia for silaging harsh agricultural by-products.

Disseminated Lodderomyces elongisporus and Pantoea dispersa: A Rare Dual Infection in an Immunocompromised Patient

With the advancement of modern medicine and the prolonged survival of critically ill patients, unusual organisms are increasingly emerging. Initially found in the environment, these rare organisms started presenting as human pathogens, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we present a rare case of disseminated Lodderomyces elongisporus fungemia and Pantoea dispersa bacteremia in a patient with parapneumonic effusion and ruptured liver abscess. This yeast was identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF). Although this organism has no antifungal breakpoint, the isolate shows low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to a wide range of antifungals. The importance of effective communication between microbiologists and clinicians and early referral to the infectious disease team was also highlighted in this case for prompt treatment.

Subcutaneous pythiosis in human treated successfully with antimicrobial treatment, debridement and immunotherapy

Pythiosis is caused due to a filamentous eukaryotic micro-organism called Pythium insidiosum and the disease occurs commonly in horses and cattle. Subcutaneous pythiosis infection in humans is rare with no clear clinical guidelines for treatment. We present a case of a man in his 20s with non-resolving ulcers noted over lower extremity after exposure to swamp water draining animal remains. The patient received several courses of oral antibiotics with no improvement in symptoms before getting admitted to our institution. A diagnosis of subcutaneous pythiosis was made after deep wound culture following debridement detected P. insidiosum by use of PCR. Due to the rare incidence of such infection in humans and no clear guidelines available for treatment, the case was discussed with infectious disease specialists outside our institution and with veterinary physicians. An emergent approval for use of immunotherapy in conjunction with surgical debridement and antimicrobials was obtained from Food and Drug administration. The patient underwent successful treatment of infection and skin graft following treatment.

Quantification of β-lactamase producing bacteria in German surface waters with subsequent MALDI-TOF MS-based identification and β-lactamase activity assay

Environmental oligotrophic bacteria are suspected to be highly relevant carriers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, there is a lack of validated methods for monitoring in the aquatic environment. Since extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) play a particularly important role in the clinical sector, a culturing method based on R2A-medium spiked with different combinations of β-lactams was applied to quantify β-lactamase-producing environmental bacteria from surface waters. In German surface water samples (n = 28), oligotrophic bacteria ranging from 4.0 × 103 to 1.7 × 104 CFU per 100 mL were detected on the nutrient-poor medium spiked with 3rd generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. These numbers were 3 log10 higher compared to ESBL-producing Enterobacteriales of clinical relevance from the same water samples. A MALDI-TOF MS identification of the isolates demonstrated, that the method leads to the isolation of environmentally relevant strains with Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, and Janthinobacterium being predominant β-lactam resistant genera. Subsequent micro-dilution antibiotic susceptibility tests (Micronaut-S test) confirmed the expression of β-lactamases. The qPCR analysis of surface waters DNA extracts showed the presence of β-lactamase genes (blaTEM, blaCMY-2, blaOXA-48, blaVIM-2, blaSHV, and blaNDM-1) at concentrations of 3.7 (±1.2) to 1.0 (±1.9) log10 gene copies per 100 mL. Overall, the results demonstrate a widespread distribution of cephalosporinase and carbapenemase enzymes in oligotrophic environmental bacteria that have to be considered as a reservoir of ARGs and contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Mycoplasma bovis mastitis in dairy cattle

Mycoplasma bovis has recently been identified increasingly in dairy cows causing huge economic losses to the dairy industry. M. bovis is a causative agent for mastitis, pneumonia, endometritis, endocarditis, arthritis, otitis media, and many other clinical symptoms in cattle. However, some infected cows are asymptomatic or may not shed the pathogen for weeks to years. This characteristic of M. bovis, along with the lack of adequate testing and identification methods in many parts of the world until recently, has allowed the M. bovis to be largely undetected despite its increased prevalence in dairy farms. Due to growing levels of antimicrobial resistance among wild-type M. bovis isolates and lack of cell walls in mycoplasmas that enable them to be intrinsically resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics that are widely used in dairy farms, there is no effective treatment for M. bovis mastitis. Similarly, there is no commercially available effective vaccine for M. bovis mastitis. The major constraint to developing effective intervention tools is limited knowledge of the virulence factors and mechanisms of the pathogenesis of M. bovis mastitis. There is lack of quick and reliable diagnostic methods with high specificity and sensitivity for M. bovis. This review is a summary of the current state of knowledge of the virulence factors, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and control of M. bovis mastitis in dairy cows.

Comparison of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing for identification of environmental bacteria: a case study of cave mussel-associated culturable microorganisms

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is routinely used as a rapid and cost-effective method for pathogen identification in clinical settings. In comparison, its performance in other microbiological fields, such as environmental microbiology, is still being tested, although isolates of environmental microbes are essential for in-depth in vivo studies of their biology, including biotechnological applications. We investigated the applicability of MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of bacterial isolates from a highly oligotrophic environment - Dinaric Karst caves, which likely harbor specific microorganisms. We cultured bacteria from the shell surface of the endemic mussel Congeria jalzici, one of the three known cave mussels in the world that lives in the Dinaric karst underground. The bacterial isolates were obtained by swabbing the shell surface of mussels living in microhabitats with different amounts of water: 10 air-exposed mussels, 10 submerged mussels, and 10 mussels in the hygropetric zone. A collection of 87 pure culture isolates was obtained, mostly belonging to the phylum Bacillota (72%), followed by Pseudomonadota (16%), Actinomycetota (11%), and Bacteroidota (1%). We compared the results of MALDI-TOF MS identification (Bruker databases DB-5989 and version 11, v11) with the results of 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic analysis, a standard procedure for bacterial identification. Identification to the genus level based on 16S rDNA was possible for all isolates and clearly outperformed the results from MALDI-TOF MS, although the updated MALDI-TOF MS database v11 gave better results than the DB-5989 version (85% versus 62%). However, identification to the species-level by 16S rDNA sequencing was achieved for only 17% of isolates, compared with 14% and 40% for the MALDI-TOF MS databases DB-5989 and v11 database, respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest that continued enrichment of MALDI-TOF MS libraries will result with this method soon becoming a rapid, accurate, and efficient tool for assessing the diversity of culturable bacteria from different environmental niches.

The Importance, Challenges, and Possible Solutions for Sharing Proteomics Data While Safeguarding Individuals' Privacy

Proteomics data sharing has profound benefits at the individual level as well as at the community level. While data sharing has increased over the years, mostly due to journal and funding agency requirements, the reluctance of researchers with regard to data sharing is evident as many shares only the bare minimum dataset required to publish an article. In many cases, proper metadata is missing, essentially making the dataset useless. This behavior can be explained by a lack of incentives, insufficient awareness, or a lack of clarity surrounding ethical issues. Through adequate training at research institutes, researchers can realize the benefits associated with data sharing and can accelerate the norm of data sharing for the field of proteomics, as has been the standard in genomics for decades. In this article, we have put together various repository options available for proteomics data. We have also added pros and cons of those repositories to facilitate researchers in selecting the repository most suitable for their data submission. It is also important to note that a few types of proteomics data have the potential to re-identify an individual in certain scenarios. In such cases, extra caution should be taken to remove any personal identifiers before sharing on public repositories. Data sets that will be useless without personal identifiers need to be shared in a controlled access repository so that only authorized researchers can access the data and personal identifiers are kept safe.

Enzymatic Activity Profiling Using an Ultrasensitive Array of Chemiluminescent Probes for Bacterial Classification and Characterization

Identification and characterization of bacterial species in clinical and industrial settings necessitate the use of diverse, labor-intensive, and time-consuming protocols as well as the utilization of expensive and high-maintenance equipment. Furthermore, while cutting-edge identification technologies such as mass spectrometry and PCR are highly effective in identifying bacterial pathogens, they fall short in providing additional information for identifying bacteria not present in the databases upon which these methods rely. In response to these challenges, we present a robust and general approach to bacterial identification based on their unique enzymatic activity profiles. This method delivers results within 90 min, utilizing an array of highly sensitive and enzyme-selective chemiluminescent probes. Leveraging our recently developed technology of chemiluminescent luminophores, which emit light under physiological conditions, we have crafted an array of probes designed to rapidly detect various bacterial enzymatic activities. The array includes probes for detecting resistance to the important and large class of β-lactam antibiotics. The analysis of chemiluminescent fingerprints from a diverse range of prominent bacterial pathogens unveiled distinct enzymatic activity profiles for each strain. The reported universally applicable identification procedure offers a highly sensitive and expeditious means to delineate bacterial enzymatic activity fingerprints. This opens new avenues for characterizing and identifying pathogens in research, clinical, and industrial applications.

Qualitative and quantitative rapid detection of VOCs differentially released by VAP-associated bacteria using PTR-MS and FGC-PTR-MS

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a prevalent disease caused by microbial infection, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality within the intensive care unit (ICU). The rapid and accurate identification of pathogenic bacteria causing VAP can assist clinicians in formulating timely treatment plans. In this study, we attempted to differentiate bacterial species in VAP by utilizing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by pathogens. We cultured 6 common bacteria in VAP in vitro, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Staphylococcus aureus, which covered most cases of VAP infection in clinic. After the VOCs released by bacteria were collected in sampling bags, they were quantitatively detected by a proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), and the characteristic ions were qualitatively analyzed through a fast gas chromatography-proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (FGC-PTR-MS). After conducting principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM), we discovered that the VOCs released by 6 bacteria exhibited differentiation following 3 h of quantitative cultivation in vitro. Additionally, we further investigated the variations in the types and concentrations of bacterial VOCs. The results showed that by utilizing the differences in types of VOCs, 6 bacteria could be classified into 5 sets, except for A. baumannii and E. cloacae which were indistinguishable. Furthermore, we observed significant variations in the concentration ratio of acetaldehyde and methyl mercaptan released by A. baumannii and E. cloacae. In conclusion, the VOCs released by bacteria could effectively differentiate the 6 pathogens commonly associated with VAP, which was expected to assist doctors in formulating treatment plans in time and improve the survival rate of patients.

Detection limit of FT-IR-based bacterial typing based on optimized sample preparation and typing model

Accurate and efficient bacterial typing methods are crucial to microbiology. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy enables highly distinguishable fingerprint identification of closely related bacterial strains by producing highly specific fingerprints of bacteria, which is increasingly being considered as an alternative to genotypic methods, such as pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), for bacterial typing. Compared with genotypic methods, FT-IR has significant advantages of convenient operation, fast speed, and low cost. Fundamental research into the detection limit based on optimized analytical conditions for FT-IR bacterial typing, which can avoid excessive bacterial culture time or sampling volume, is particularly important, especially in clinical practice. However, the corresponding parameters have not been fully investigated. In this study, we developed a simplified and reliable procedure for sample preparation, optimized the data analysis procedure, and evaluated the FT-IR detection limit based on the above conditions. In particular, we combined the film mold and calcium fluoride plate for sample preparation. We evaluated the detection limit (about 108 CFU/mL) after parameter optimization using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and artificial neural network (ANN). The optimization and evaluation of these key fundamentals will better promote future application of FT-IR-based bacterial typing.

A comprehensive technology strategy for microbial identification and contamination investigation in the sterile drug manufacturing facility-a case study

Objective

A comprehensive strategy for microbial identification and contamination investigation during sterile drug manufacturing was innovatively established in this study, mainly based on MALDI-TOF MS for the identification and complemented by sequencing technology on strain typing.

Methods

It was implemented to monitor the bacterial contamination of a sterile drug manufacturing facility, including its bacterial distribution features and patterns. In three months, two hundred ninety-two samples were collected covering multiple critical components of raw materials, personnel, environment, and production water.

Results

Based on our strategy, the bacterial profile across the production process was determined: 241/292 bacterial identities were obtained, and Staphylococcus spp. (40.25%), Micrococcus spp.(11.20%), Bacillus spp. (8.30%), Actinobacteria (5.81%), and Paenibacillus spp. (4.56%) are shown to be the most dominant microbial contaminants. With 75.8% species-level and 95.4% genus-level identification capability, MALDI-TOF MS was promising to be a first-line tool for environmental monitoring routine. Furthermore, to determine the source of the most frequently occurring Staphylococcus cohnii, which evidenced a widespread presence in the entire process, a more discriminating S. cohnii whole-genome SNP typing method was developed to track the transmission routes. Phylogenetic analysis based on SNP results indicated critical environment contamination is highly relevant to personnel flow in this case. The strain typing results provide robust and accurate information for the following risk assessment step and support effective preventive and corrective measures.

Conclusion

In general, the strategy presented in this research will facilitate the development of improved production and environmental control processes for the pharmaceutical industry, and give insights about how to provide more sound and reliable evidence for the optimization of its control program.

Molecular Characteristics of Colistin Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii and the Activity of Antimicrobial Combination Therapy in a Tertiary Care Medical Center in Lebanon

(1) Background: Infections with pan-drug-resistant (PDR) bacteria, such as A. baumannii, are becoming increasingly common, especially in healthcare facilities. In this study, we selected 15 colistin-resistant clinical A. baumannii isolates from a hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, to test combination therapies and determine their sequence types (STs) and the mechanism of colistin resistance using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). (2) Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing via broth microdilution against 12 antimicrobials from different classes and growth rate assays were performed. A checkerboard assay was conducted on PDR isolates using six different antimicrobials, each in combination with colistin. Genomic DNA was extracted from all isolates and subjected to WGS. (3) Results: All isolates were resistant to all tested antimicrobials with the one exception that was susceptible to gentamicin. Combining colistin with either meropenem, ceftolozane-tazobactam, or teicoplanin showed synergistic activity. Sequencing data revealed that 67% of the isolates belonged to Pasteur ST2 and 33% to ST187. Furthermore, these isolates harbored a number of resistance genes, including blaOXA-23. Mutations in the pmrC gene were behind colistin resistance. (4) Conclusions: With the rise in antimicrobial resistance and the absence of novel antimicrobial production, alternative treatments must be found. The combination therapy results from this study suggest treatment options for PDR ST2 A. baumannii-infected patients.

Clinical isolate characteristics and demographics of patients with C.jejuni and C.coli infections in Northern Israel, 2015-2021

C.coli is a significant cause of foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide, with the majority of cases attributed to C.jejuni. Although most clinical laboratories do not typically conduct antimicrobial susceptibility testing for C.coli, the rise in resistant strains has underscored the necessity for such testing and epidemiological surveillance. The current study presents clinical isolate characteristics and demographics of 221 patients with C.coli (coli and jejuni) infections in Northern Israel, between 2015 and 2021. Clinical and demographic data were collected from patient medical records. Susceptibility to erythromycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin was assessed using the standard E-test. No significant correlations were found between bacterial species and patient ethnicity, patient gender, or duration of hospitalization. In contrast, significant differences were found between infecting species and patient age and age subgroup (P < 0.001). Furthermore, erythromycin resistance was observed in only 0.5% of the study population, while resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and gentamicin was observed in 95%, 93%, and 2.3% of the population, respectively. The presented study underscores the need for routine surveillance of C.coli antibiotic resistance.

MALDI-TOF MS: A Reliable Tool in the Real Life of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

Matrix-Assisted Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in the last decade has revealed itself as a valid support in the workflow in the clinical microbiology laboratory for the identification of bacteria and fungi, demonstrating high reliability and effectiveness in this application. Its use has reduced, by 24 h, the time to obtain a microbiological diagnosis compared to conventional biochemical automatic systems. MALDI-TOF MS application to the detection of pathogens directly in clinical samples was proposed but requires a deeper investigation, whereas its application to positive blood cultures for the identification of microorganisms and the detection of antimicrobial resistance are now the most useful applications. Thanks to its rapidity, accuracy, and low price in reagents and consumables, MALDI-TOF MS has also been applied to different fields of clinical microbiology, such as the detection of antibiotic susceptibility/resistance biomarkers, the identification of aminoacidic sequences and the chemical structure of protein terminal groups, and as an emerging method in microbial typing. Some of these applications are waiting for an extensive evaluation before confirming a transfer to the routine. MALDI-TOF MS has not yet been used for the routine identification of parasites; nevertheless, studies have been reported in the last few years on its use in the identification of intestinal protozoa, Plasmodium falciparum, or ectoparasites. Innovative applications of MALDI-TOF MS to viruses' identification were also reported, seeking further studies before adapting this tool to the virus's diagnostic. This mini-review is focused on the MALDI-TOF MS application in the real life of the diagnostic microbiology laboratory.

Comparison of the Bruker Microflex LT and Zybio EXS2600 MALDI TOF MS systems for the identification of clinical microorganisms

The emergence of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS) technology has expanded the capabilities for identifying microorganisms in clinical labs, replacing traditional biochemical testing with a proteomic approach. In the present study, we compared results between the two commercial MALDI TOF MS systems, Bruker Microflex LT Biotyper and Zybio EXS2600 Ex-Accuspec, for the identification of 1979 urinary isolates by direct extraction method. Current study found that both systems identified a high percentage of isolates to at least the genus level - Bruker 95.6 % of isolates, Zybio 92.4 %. In the case of 89.5 % of all analyzed spectra, the identification results were consistent between the used devices. The highest score values and the highest percentage of spectra identified to species were obtained for gram-negative bacteria. The results show that both systems are equally good choices in terms of analytical performance for routine microbiological diagnostic procedures.

Next-generation methods for early disease detection in crops

Plant pathogens are commonly identified in the field by the typical disease symptoms that they can cause. The efficient early detection and identification of pathogens are essential procedures to adopt effective management practices that reduce or prevent their spread in order to mitigate the negative impacts of the disease. In this review, the traditional and innovative methods for early detection of the plant pathogens highlighting their major advantages and limitations are presented and discussed. Traditional techniques of diagnosis used for plant pathogen identification are focused typically on the DNA, RNA (when molecular methods), and proteins or peptides (when serological methods) of the pathogens. Serological methods based on mainly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are the most common method used for pathogen detection due to their high-throughput potential and low cost. This technique is not particularly reliable and sufficiently sensitive for many pathogens detection during the asymptomatic stage of infection. For non-cultivable pathogens in the laboratory, nucleic acid-based technology is the best choice for consistent pathogen detection or identification. Lateral flow systems are innovative tools that allow fast and accurate results even in field conditions, but they have sensitivity issues to be overcome. PCR assays performed on last-generation portable thermocyclers may provide rapid detection results in situ. The advent of portable instruments can speed pathogen detection, reduce commercial costs, and potentially revolutionize plant pathology. This review provides information on current methodologies and procedures for the effective detection of different plant pathogens. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

A high-throughput platform enables in situ screening of fatty acid-producing strains using laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and a Python package

Microbial fatty acid-producing strains are commonly engineered to improve their performance for industrial applications. However, it is challenging to efficiently and rapidly screen target strains for engineering. This study reported an in situ analytical platform using laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LAESI-MS) for fast profiling of triacylglycerols in cellular lipid droplets of Aurantiochytrium sp. colonies cultured on agar plates. LAESI-MS approach allowed for the direct acquisition of a colony cell's characteristic fingerprint mass spectrum and MS/MS facilitated the identification of triacylglycerol species containing three fatty acyl groups. The fatty acid contents of colony cells were calculated based on the intensities of triacylglycerols from their characteristic fingerprint mass spectrum. A Python package called TAFA-LEMS (Triacylglycerol to Fatty Acid by LAESI-MS) was also developed to process the high-throughput MS data and extract fatty acid contents in colony cells. The results demonstrated that the LAESI-MS platform is fast, stable, and reproducible, with a data acquisition rate of ≤2 s per sampling point and ≤13.69% RSDs of the relative contents of fatty acids. In addition, LAESI-MS was successfully performed on the analysis of P. tricornutum and Y lipolytica strains. This in situ MS platform has the potential to become a common biotechnology platform for microbial strain engineering.

Effects of whey protein supplementation on gut microbiota of Wistar rats with valproic acid-induced autism symptoms

Aim: To evaluate the effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation (1.24 mg/g, 24 days) in rats with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) induced by valproic acid (400 mg/kg, single dose). Materials & methods: Wistar rats (14 days old) were divided into four groups: control, ASD, ASD plus WP and WP. Results: WP increased bacterial diversity and the number of colonies. Bacteria from the Firmicutes phylum were predominantly found in the supplemented groups (p < 0.05). WP also improved the animals' memory in the Y-maze test and decreased the time that male animals spent in the 'solitary chamber' (p < 0.05). Conclusion: WP supplementation positively influenced gut microbiota, along with memory.

Fluorescent polymer as a biosensing tool for the diagnosis of microbial pathogens

Diseases and diagnoses are predominant in the human population. Early diagnosis of etiological agents plays a vital role in the treatment of bacterial infections. Existing standard diagnostic platforms are laborious, time-consuming, and require trained personnel and cost-effective procedure, though they are producing promising results. These shortcomings have led to a thirst for rapid diagnostic procedures. Fluorescence-based diagnosis is one of the efficient rapid diagnostic methods that rely on specific and sensitive bacterial detection. Emerging bio-sensing studies on conducting polymers (CPs) are gaining popularity in medical diagnostics due to their promising properties of high fluorescence efficiency, good light stability, and low cytotoxicity. Poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV), is the first identified soluble polymer and model material for understanding the fundamental photophysics of conventional CPs. In this present study, MEH-PPV is used as a fluorescent dye for direct pathogen detection applications by interacting with the microbial cell surface. An optimized concentration of MEH-PPV solution used to confirm the presence of selective bacterial structures. The present study endeavours towards bacterial detection based on the emission from bacteria due to interfacial interaction between polymer and bacterial surface.